Network Q RAC Rally 23-25 November 1996

The Toyota Castrol team marked their return to international rallying after a year's enforced absence with a runaway victory on the Network Q RAC Rally which ended in Chester on Monday November 24th.

Armin Schwarz took the spoils at the end of the three day 26 stage event, having dominated from the start. He was the sole survivor of the only full official World Championship team contesting the last round of the World 2-litre Championship.

In the most treacherous conditions on the first day, when the rally visited the infamous Kielder man made forestry on the border between England and Scotland, the European Champion from Germany portrayed skill and caution while all around him flew off into the ditches and tree lined snow and ice bound tracks.

Behind him, after the event settled down to recover from the loss of two former World Champions and 49 others on the opening nine tests, the Japanese driver gave his friends and fans in the Far East plenty to shout about as he stayed clear of trouble to record the best ever finish by a Japanese crew on the British event. And there was loud praise also for the 50 year old veteran Stig Blomqvist of Sweden, who charged through to third spot in his Skoda Favorit.

The World 2-litre Championship was won by Seat thanks to Harri Rovanpera of Finland who was eighth with the German Erwin Weber close up in ninth place.

That's all from the UKMotoMag's team of Derek Hill, John Upham and Philip Wood who look forward to your continued support of the most comprehensive coverage of the rally scene in Great Britain.

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